Free Shiite Movement condemns kidnapping of French MP

 

The leader of the Free Shiite Movement Sheikh Mohammad al-Hajj Hassan strongly condemned the abduction of the French Socialist Party MP Karim Pakzad on the road of Beirut International airport.

 

” Such an irresponsible and illogical action by Hezbollah threatens the security of the Shiite community in Lebanon ” he said.

 

He urged Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah to personally intervene to put an end to such actions and called on the Lebanese authorities to investigate the incident , find and arrest those militants that executed the abduction and bring them to justice .

 

Sheikh Hassan said such irresponsible actions constitute a setback to the security in the country and negatively affect the tourist industry .

He accused Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah of “striving hard to spark an internal strife in Lebanon.”

 

Addressing Hezbollah leaders he said: “We are tired of your irresponsible behavior … Stop the spread of poison … Stop these violations and assaults on the freedoms of people in Lebanon… Enough is enough”.

 

A French official attending a conference in Lebanon was kidnapped and detained for interrogation by Hezbollah. While Hezbollah cited concerns that Israeli agents may be trying to spy on the militia, Lebanese majority leader Walid Jumblatt has earlier called the event as the latest example of Hezbollah acting as state within a state.

 

“”This is really an abnormal situation,”” said Walid Jumblatt, an anti-Syrian politician who heads the Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party. Speaking at the press conference with Pakzad Sunday, he accused Hezbollah of being a state within a state.

 

He said the French official had been taking pictures of Hezbollah posters on the way. “”I don”t think these are military installations,”” Jumblatt said.

 

The French Foreign Ministry protested the arrest and detention of Pakzad, calling it “”totally unacceptable.””

 

“”We count on the diligence of the Lebanese authorities, responsible for the investigation and judicial follow-up of this incident,”” a ministry statement said, adding that Pakzad has filed a formal complaint.

 

Similarly , the Lebanese Forces , headed by Dr. Samir Geagea also denounced the incident and called on the Arab countries and the friendly states to help Lebanon spread its authority over the entire country.

 

Many other Lebanese leaders were outraged by the Hezbollah action and urged an end to its irresponsible behavior.